Abstract: A connection system for joining two wind turbine components together includes one or more bearing surfaces and one or more support surfaces extending away from the one or more bearing surfaces on a first wind turbine component, and one or more bearing surfaces and one or more support surfaces extending away from the one or more bearing surfaces on a second wind turbine component. One or more bores are formed in the one or more support surfaces of the first and second wind turbine components. One or more pins are configured to be engaged with respective one or more bores of the first and second wind turbine components to thereby join the two components together. A method for joining two wind turbine components together is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wind turbine (10) includes a main shaft (34) including a front end (34a), the front end (34a) including a first connecting structure (36). A rotor hub (22) includes a second connecting structure (40), wherein the second connecting structure (40) of the rotor hub (22) is fixed to the first connecting structure (36) of the main shaft (34). A plurality of blades (24) is coupled to the rotor hub (22). A rotor locking disc (32) is carried on the main shaft (34), the rotor locking disc (32) having an outer circumference (32a) and a plurality of recesses (50) on the outer circumference (32a), the recesses (50) having openings (50a) intersecting with the outer circumference (32a). At least one rotor locking pin (30) is movable between a disengaged position relative to at least one of the recesses (50) and an engaged position wherein the pin is located at least partially in one of the recesses (50) for locking the rotor hub (22) against rotation.

Abstract: A base frame assembly (24) for supporting a main shaft housing of a wind turbine comprises a base frame (50) having a plurality of mounting pads (42) for receiving the main shaft housing (20) thereon; and a brace component (52) comprising a plurality of arm portions (54), each arm portion (54) terminating in a respective support plate (56). Each one of the mounting pads (42) of the base frame (50) is configured to interface with and be secured to a corresponding one of the support plates (56) of the brace component (52).

Abstract: A wind turbine (10) includes a main shaft (34) including a front end (34a), the front end (34a) including a first connecting structure (36). A rotor hub (22) includes a second connecting structure (40), wherein the second connecting structure (40) of the rotor hub (22) is fixed to the first connecting structure (36) of the main shaft (34). A plurality of blades (24) is coupled to the rotor hub (22). A rotor locking disc (32) is carried on the main shaft (34), the rotor locking disc (32) having an outer circumference (32a) and a plurality of recesses (50) on the outer circumference (32a), the recesses (50) having openings (50a) intersecting with the outer circumference (32a). At least one rotor locking pin (30) is movable between a disengaged position relative to at least one of the recesses (50) and an engaged position wherein the pin is located at least partially in one of the recesses (50) for locking the rotor hub (22) against rotation.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a main shaft (34), a rotor hub (22), a plurality of blades coupled to the rotor hub (22), and a rotor locking disc (32), (32?). The main shaft (34) includes a front end portion (34a), and the front end portion (34a) includes a first connecting structure (36). The rotor hub (22) includes a second connecting structure (40). The first connecting structure (36) of the main shaft (34) is fixed to the second connecting structure (40) of the rotor hub (22). The rotor locking disc (32), (32?) is integrally formed on the front end portion (34a) of the main shaft (34), and includes a peripheral region. A plurality of rotor locking elements (50), (50?) are located in the peripheral region for receiving one or more rotor locking pins (30).

Abstract: A connection system for joining two wind turbine components together includes one or more bearing surfaces and one or more support surfaces extending away from the one or more bearing surfaces on a first wind turbine component, and one or more bearing surfaces and one or more support surfaces extending away from the one or more bearing surfaces on a second wind turbine component. One or more bores are formed in the one or more support surfaces of the first and second wind turbine components. One or more pins are configured to be engaged with respective one or more bores of the first and second wind turbine components to thereby join the two components together. A method for joining two wind turbine components together is also disclosed.

Abstract: Rotor restraining and rotating apparatus and methods for a wind turbine (1) are described. An apparatus (200) has a rotatable control element (204) associated with a rotor (8, 203) of the wind turbine, the control element being at least part-circular in form, the control element comprising a plurality of engagement formations (205) disposed on a periphery thereof. The apparatus also has a control member (206), comprising a plurality of engagement formations (207). The control member is movable (208) in a first degree of freedom between: (a) a non-restraining position; and (b) a restraining position in which the control member engagement formations are able to engage the control element engagement formations to restrain rotation of the control element. The control member is also movable (209) in a second degree of freedom.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a main shaft (34), a rotor hub (22), a plurality of blades coupled to the rotor hub (22), and a rotor locking disc (32), (32?). The main shaft (34) includes a front end portion (34a), and the front end portion (34a) includes a first connecting structure (36). The rotor hub (22) includes a second connecting structure (40). The first connecting structure (36) of the main shaft (34) is fixed to the second connecting structure (40) of the rotor hub (22). The rotor locking disc (32), (32?) is integrally formed on the front end portion (34a) of the main shaft (34), and includes a peripheral region. A plurality of rotor locking elements (50), (50?) are located in the peripheral region for receiving one or more rotor locking pins (30).

Abstract: Rotor restraining and rotating apparatus and methods for a wind turbine (1) are described. An apparatus (200) has a rotatable control element (204) associated with a rotor (8, 203) of the wind turbine, the control element being at least part-circular in form, the control element comprising a plurality of engagement formations (205) disposed on a periphery thereof. The apparatus also has a control member (206), comprising a plurality of engagement formations (207). The control member is movable (208) in a first degree of freedom between: (a) a non-restraining position; and (b) a restraining position in which the control member engagement formations are able to engage the control element engagement formations to restrain rotation of the control element. The control member is also movable (209) in a second degree of freedom.

Abstract: A base frame assembly (24) for supporting a main shaft housing of a wind turbine comprises a base frame (50) having a plurality of mounting pads (42) for receiving the main shaft housing (20) thereon; and a brace component (52) comprising a plurality of arm portions (54), each arm portion (54) terminating in a respective support plate (56). Each one of the mounting pads (42) of the base frame (50) is configured to interface with and be secured to a corresponding one of the support plates (56) of the brace component (52).